Up To 42 Exploration Wells Permitted In Offshore Newfoundland, Labrador

Equinor and ExxonMobil have received approval to drill up to 42 exploration wells in seven licenses offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. The environmental licenses apply to three licenses in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin and another four in Flemish Pass Basin in the Atlantic Ocean. Stavanger-based Equinor operates four of the licenses in the Flemish Pass Basin and has permits to drill up to 24 wells in licenses 1139, 1140, 1141 and 1142. Area water depth is 500-3,000 m. The drilling program in the Flemish Pass Basin is scheduled to start in 2019 and could last through 2027. ExxonMobil has approval to explore in offshore licenses in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin. The proposed drilling plan could include up to 18 offshore wells, with six per exploration license. The original scope of the project covered a 12-year period from 2018 through 2030. ExxonMobil operates license 1135 with 40% working interest. Its partners are Suncor (30%) and Equinor (30%). It also operates license 1137 with 100% working interest